preview

The Group Anonymous Focused on Personal Entertainment

analytical Essay
1594 words
1594 words
bookmark

The advances in technology render society the ability instantaneously transmitting events, occurring around the world. Consider an uprising in Bosnia, for example, viewed by millions within minutes. Technology allowed us as the operation unfolded, to locate, and view the capture of Osama Bin Laden. These advances, exceptional as they may be, give rise to a virtual army of members. Individuals and groups of individuals coalesce electronically around a cause or movement with increasing regularity. Forcing one to consider the efficaciousness they have, or can have on a cause or movement, either locally, nationally, or internationally. In 2003, a group primarily focused on personal entertainment began using their knowledge to “hack” into computers, posting images and messages on the monitors of unsuspecting internet users. The term hacktivist is a blend of hack as in unauthorized computer access and an activist. A Hacktivist is “a person who changes or manipulates information on the internet in order to convey a political message”. “Hacktivist,” Macmillian Dictionary, n.d., Wed. 28 Feb. 2014, online. In 2008, the group of practical jokers would become the activist group Anonymous, donning masks of Guy Fawkes a 1600 activist who perished while attempting to murder King James I. The group coordinates its efforts, protesting various organizations, agencies, governments, and the like regarding different issues around the world. Occasionally and with increasing frequency, the cumulative efforts of Anonymous’ online efforts result in the group publically gathering in protest. What would be the impact hacktivists (Anonymous), could amass considering their ability to “hack” web sites of other movements whose agenda clashes with their own? Th... ... middle of paper ... ...y/american/hacktivist>. Kensington, Lindsey , and Kathryn Stam. "Journal of Human Rights Practice." Online Advocacy: Analysis of Human Rights NGO Websites. Version Volumne 5 Issue 1. Oxford Journal, 23 Jan. 2013. Web. 22 Feb. 2014. . Klisanin, D. (2012). The Hero and the Internet: Exploring the Emergence of the Cyberhero Archetype . Media Psychology Review [Online]. 4, 1., Mon. 24 Feb. 2014. Leary, M. R. (1995). Self-presentation: Impression management and interpersonal behavior. Madison, WI, US: Brown & Benchmark Publishers. McLaughlin, Victoria. "Anonymous: What do we have to fear from Hactavists." Program in Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia . University of Virginia, 12 Apr. 2012. Web. 2 Feb. 2014. .

In this essay, the author

  • Argues that all movements begin with insurrection and disobedience putting us at odds with certain aspects of society.
  • Explains that the occupy wall street demonstration originated out of the 99 percent movement in 2010.
  • Analyzes how digital activism presents the individual with the illusion they have actively participated in aiding a good cause or movement. activists' digital campaigns can be cute and inspiring yet do nothing that, in fact, helps the cause they attempt to promote.
  • Analyzes how the red shirt friday campaign promotes the sale of "support our troops" red shirts, which donate a percentage of the proceeds to various veterans programs.
  • Analyzes how support negatively affects charities and organizations in need of physical volunteers and real financial support. armchair activists view themselves as morally upright.
  • States that conovere md, ferrara e. menczer f, flammini a (2013) the digital evolution of occupy wall.
  • Analyzes mclaughlin's program in political and social thought at the university of virginia.
  • Explains the difference between activism and clicktivism, which is a blend of hack as in unauthorized computer access and an activist
  • Argues that real social change can only be successful with actively engaged human beings. the group anonymous encourages both internet activity and the physical participation of its members in demonstrations worldwide.
  • Introduces richard d. alexander, the biology of moral systems, hawthorne, n.y., a. de gruyter, 1987.
  • Explains the real role of anonymous in occupy wall street. clicktavists.com is a website for clicktivist creating links to various organizations and movements worldwide.
  • Explains the definition of "hacktivist" in macmillan dictionary. kensington, lindsey, and kathryn stam. "journal of human rights practice."
Get Access